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Referee Nicola Rizzoli saw the challenge and red-carded Taylor – ironically he is the same referee in charge on the night that Manchester United’s Luke Shaw suffered a similarly horrific injury in a Champions League tie against PSV, when he did not punish the perpetrator.

But a three-match ban for a reckless challenge which will rule a player out for at least six months?

The punishment clearly does not fit the crime.

And every player is capable of such recklessness.

Ross Barkley and Jordan Henderson square up to each other in the Merseyside derby

Remember Jamie Redknapp? The clean cut, charming, cheeky team captain on Sky Sport’s League Of Their Own? And one half of the beloved celebrity partnership Louise and Jamie?

Only more severe punishments will reduce the number of reckless tackles which has seen players like Eduardo, Djibril Cisse, Aaron Ramsey, Henrik Larsson and many others spend far too long on the sidelines.

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Did we learn nothing from the David Busst incident – a leg break so distressing that Peter Schmeichel, Manchester United’s goalkeeper on the day and the player closest to the incident, was so horrified by what he saw that he vomited on the pitch and had to have counselling afterwards.

Busst never played professionally again, and in the end was relieved to avoid amputation.